A quivering breath left her painted lips, her feet wriggling uncomfortably against the tight rope and wood of her sandals. She hated getting dressed up like this for nothing, but to her father it wasn't nothing. It was her Eighteenth birthday, the day she was eligible to be wed, and Hiashi needed to find her a husband. Hinata didn't want to marry right away, she didn't even have anyone who liked her in that way. Naruto just thought she was strange, and Kiba, despite his obvious feelings, was like a brother to her.

Neji was dressed up to, in a simple black kimono, lined with a silver trim, and embroidered with several lotus flowers. He had come to her door, calling her out for the dinner party her father had put together. " Hinata-sama....Please, come out. Lord Hiashi's getting impa- " His words were cut off by the door sliding open with a crash.

His eyes widened. She looked stunning, the pale red eyeliner making her eyes stand out, the beautiful designs carefully placed against the curves of her body. Her lips were dark red, standing out against her painted white face, drawing his attention to the soft quivering of her lower lip.

" I'm not coming. " She whispered coldly, turning her pale, pupiless eyes to the floor. Why did her cousin, her protector, have to be the one to escort her? Not that it would've been any easier if it had been her father, or Hanabi, but it would've felt safer.

At her words, his eyes widened, them too turning to the ground. " You can't just not come Hinata-sama....Lord Hiashi would be furious. " Her hands clentched into fists, trembling against the pain of her fingernails digging their way into the soft flesh of her palm. " I don't care...I'm not being married off just....for him. " She whispered, trying her best to keep her voice strong.

A sigh left Neji's lips, his hand resting on the back of his neck. Why was he acting like this? Why was he so nervous? He couldn't think clearly, the soft rose scent of Hinata's perfume drowning out any coherent words in his mind. " So...you got all dressed up for nothing? " He spat out stupidly, curling his wrapped fingers against the wet, cold skin at the nape of his neck.

She didn't respond, merely closed the door quietly, letting her hands fall limply at her sides as she could no longer see the other Hyuuga. Almost moving under its own will, her arm raised, using the beautifully intricate sleeve to wipe the white make-up from her face. The powder and paint was smeared over the pale and vibrant colors of the silk, clinging to each thread of embroidery. That sight made her tremble.

Hiashi had spent nearly One Million Ryo on this Kimono, and she had ruined it already.

_____________________

" Uhg..."Naruto groaned, his stomach crying out in protest once again. He had been invited to Hinata's birthday, but the dinner had been delayed. Hinata wasn't showing up, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could wait before his stomach got the best of him. { Hinata-chan.....hurry...} He thought, swallowing hard.

He was the only one there dressed in a kimono with any orange in it, but he didn't seem to mind. After all, it was rare for ninja to actually wear THAT shade of orange.

Sensing Naruto's discomfort, Sakura sighed and hit him lightly on the back of the head. Well, lightly for her. After the rigorous training she was undergoing from the Fifth, it was hard to control the bursts of strength that plagued her when she got frustrated. Kakashi did his best not to laugh at Naruto sitting slumped over, his face in the empty bowl set in front of every guest attending. { Hahh...ah...S-sakura-chan...why so hard? } he thought, not able to sit back up.

The room's tension started to increase after a few more minutes of silent waiting, and Neji's failure to return.

At last, Neji walked towards the dining hall, empty handed and baffled by the previous ongoings. " Lord Hiashi..." He whispered, approaching the Head Hyuuga sitting at the elevated table at the front. On his right was Hanabi, dressed in a plain Kimono, and fiddling with the many different layers of fabric scratching at her body. On his left was an open chair, obviously for Hinata.

Hiashi didn't respond right away, saying something quietly to Hanabi. " What is it, Neji? " His voice boomed in a harsh whisper.

" Hi....Hinata-Sama will not be joining us this evening. "